Yoga for body
Asana (Pose)
The third limb of the yoga tree is Asana. The Sanskrit word asana literally translates to pose. Yoga poses are extremely beneficial to the body for so many reasons. Not only do they strengthen and lengthen muscles and add flexibility, but they can massage internal organs, which can help the body to heal itself, and also link the mind and body together. Asana is the physical embodiment of yoga and has the ability to make you feel powerful in your own body and/or humbled. Both of which are essential to growth as a human being for all of us. They can also be super fun! Go ahead, I dare you to get into 3 legged dog or happy baby with some friends and see if anyone can stop themselves from laughing.
Check out the blog for some breakdowns of poses coming randomly! (Gotta keep ya on your toes…get it...on your toes…with poses…anyway………………….
Pranayama (Breath)
On the tree of yoga, the fourth limb is Pranayama, which translates to breath. Breath work is very important to both physical and mental health. In the asana practice of vinyasa yoga, or flow yoga, it is important to breath with the movements of the body to keep the practice flowing and optimize oxygen to the blood during the peak of each movement. During meditation, breath is used to ground the body and mind, providing the focal point. Breath itself is life. Without it, we literally cannot survive. Many eastern societies believe that we are each given a certain number of breaths and mastery of breath is the secret to long life. Fountain of youth anyone? (I’m joking…kind of)
Just by changing the way we breathe, we can raise or lower our heart rate, calm or excite our minds, and challenge our very bodies to push further than we thought possible.
Yamas
The first limb of yoga is called Yamas, which means restraint in Sanskrit. Yamas are one’s relationship with the outer world, simply put.
There are 2 parts of Yamas that deal with care of your body: Ahimsa (non-harming) and Bhramacharya (moderation). Keeping our bodies healthy are an integral part of our yoga practice: what we put into them (food, medicines, chemicals, etc.) and what we put on them (lotion, beauty products, perfumes, etc.). Everything that touches our bodies, inside or out, has an effect. Making sure that what we out into our bodies does not harm them is very important no matter who you are. If you practice yoga, or just wear the pants because they’re super comfy, you only get one body, so care for it!
Aparigraha (non-grasping or non-hoarding) is as important in the physical realm as it is in the mental. Don’t hold on to possessions that aren’t doing you any good. True contentment is not found in material things. To paraphrase a certain Japanese stuff guru, if it doesn’t bring you joy, it doesn’t deserve to take up space in your life.
Niyamas
The second limb of yoga, Niyamas, is the Sanskrit word for observance or guidelines. Niyamas are one’s relationship with their inner self.
Saucha (cleanliness) is the Niyama that deals with care of the physical body. Keeping our bodies and physical spaces that we inhabit clean, tidy, and free of pollutants is essential to living the yogic life. Regular bathing, brushing teeth, and cleaning out that belly-button help us to feel clean and in control of our own bodies. The cleanliness of our physical spaces not only helps us feel better, but helps keep germs, pests, parasites and the like from entering our body and causing disease or stress.
Keeping your yoga mat very clean is very important too. Mats can harbor bacteria that can cause rashes and sickness. A simple mixture of vinegar and water in a spray bottle sprayed after every practice and weekly scrubbing is an easy way to keep your mat clean.